Maths Curriculum
Intent
At Trinity Road, we aim to provide the children with an engaging Maths curriculum that encourages a love of numbers, problem solving and investigation.
Learning Sequence
We use the CPA approach to deepen and broaden our understanding of mathematical concepts. C – concrete, P – pictorial, A – abstract.
This approach is very important at Trinity Road Primary School; we believe it supports the children’s long-term understanding of numbers, place value, shape, space, measure and statistics by allowing them the time they need to explore these in the real world.
Concrete
When children first learn something new in maths, it is vital that they understand the concept of what they are learning about. To do this, children need to use concrete equipment. This means using physical objects that they can see, pick up, handle, use, explore and manipulate. Concrete equipment can be maths resources such as multi-link cubes or it can be any useful objects at all such as buttons, counters or dried pasta.
Pictorial
When children have used concrete equipment and objects, they move on to usual a visual way of representing this. They draw or represent their ideas, working out or answers.
Abstract
This is when children use standard numbers and maths symbols to record what they are doing.
We loosely follow the White Rose framework, which offers suggested teaching sequences and time allocations for mathematical concepts in each year group. This, alongside our calculation policy and our pictorial progression document, allows for a well-rounded maths curriculum that shows clear progression from EYFS all the way to Year 6.
Times Tables
EYFS and Year 1
Children in EYFS and Year 1 are not formally introduced to the concept of multiplication. They begin exploring repeated addition and counting in groups to prepare them for times tables in Year 2. They use a range of manipulatives (equipment) and pictorials (images) to support them with counting in groups of 2, 5 and 10.
Year 2 and KS2
In Years 2 through 6, pupils are taught times tables from 1x all the way to 12x, with this being staggered accordingly. Children learn about the relationships between the times tables, as well as partnering the related division facts. We use Times Tables Rockstars as an online platform for children to practise their times tables according to their target areas. This is a fun way to engage in school and at home. Times tables are formally tested in Year 4. However, pupils are also tested regularly in maths lessons, as well as during arithmetic tests. Arithmetic tests are issued on a 3-weekly basis.
Mastery
For a pupil to have mastered a mathematical concept, it means acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. If a pupil has achieved mastery, it means that they have developed their understanding of a concept enough to move on to more advanced ideas surrounding it.
At Trinity Road Primary School, we ensure that mastery is achievable for all pupils by ensuring that new concepts are taught in a varied way, allowing pupils to deepen their thinking and explore ways in which this can be presented.
Maths initiatives
Throughout the year, the children have opportunities to further explore maths in real life contexts and engage in hands-on problem solving. Areas such as statistics are focused on through topic learning, allowing pupils the chance to explore data in a purposeful and interesting way. We will be taking part in Numbers Day, an event that will work nationally alongside the NSPCC to inspire numbers we can find in a range of contexts. Later in the year, Key Stage 2 will have the opportunity to take part in a times tables competition.
Dates for the diary:
Numbers Day: Friday 7th February 2020
Times Tables Competition: TBC
Useful links:
Times Tables Rock Stars – https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student
Transum Maths – http://www.transum.org/Software/
Multiplication Games – http://www.transum.org/Software/
Top Marks – www.topmarks.co.uk
Nrich Maths – www.topmarks.co.uk